NFL Draft 2019: Eagles ‘keeping in touch’ with Penn State RB Miles Sanders, who is finally out of Saquon Barkley’s shadow | What about Steelers?

Updated Mar 22, 2019; Posted Mar 22, 2019

Penn State running back Miles Sanders spent two seasons behind Giants star Saquon Barkley. Now Sanders is ready to blaze his own path to the NFL. Barkley went to Sanders' pro day to offer support. (Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com)

For the second time in his football career, Sanders is following in Barkley’s footsteps. The Penn State running back spent two seasons behind the Giants’ Rookie of the Year during their time together in State College, Pa.

Free of Barkley, Sanders blazed his own trail, rushing for 1,274 yards and nine touchdowns last season.

After spending one year as a full-time starter, Sanders is now on his own draft journey.

So far in the pre-draft process, Sanders has seen his stock rise, especially after he ran an impressive 4.49-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis and displayed impressive hands during his pro day on Tuesday.

The 5-foot-11, 214-pound running back has drawn the attention of several teams, as he has multiple workouts scheduled over the next few weeks. Running back coaches from the Tennessee Titans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers and Cincinnati Bengals all traveled to Penn State to work him out during his pro day showcase. Eagles offensive coordinator Mike Groh also monitored Sanders throughout his workout at Holuba Hall.

At this point, Sanders seems poised to be an early pick in April’s NFL Draft.

While his schedule has filled up in recent weeks, Sanders was still able to speak with NJ Advance Media during a phone interview on Wednesday. The draft prospect spoke about his year without Barkley, his meetings with NFL teams and more.

Mike Kaye: Heading into this past season at Penn State, what were you looking to prove to NFL scouts?

Miles Sanders: “I really just wanted to prove that I’m a three-down back. I wanted to show my natural running ability. I took the offseason very seriously, getting my hands better and focusing on my hands, getting extra jug work before and after practice. I wanted to show my ability to block and pick up pass protection.”

With the big shoes to fill with Barkley leaving, how did you ignore the pressure heading into this season? How did you lay the groundwork for your own legacy?

Sanders: "I didn’t really pay a lot of attention [to comparisons]. I got a lot of interview questions about that. Kind of all of my interview questions were about [Barkley comparisons], really.

“I really just wanted to be myself and make a name for myself. That was the goal.”

What have you worked on during the draft process to improve your game?

Sanders: “Since the bowl game, I’ve just been working on my hands. At the combine and my pro day, showing how well I can catch the ball out of the backfield and the slot position.”

A lot of pundits didn’t expect you to run as fast as you did at the Combine. When you were training, how did you enhance your speed or what did you work on to get that burst that you displayed in Indianapolis?

Sanders: “I think I’ve always -- in my opinion -- been that fast and had that speed. I was a little banged up with my ankle during the season so that kind of held me back and kind of switched up my game. The second half of the season, [I was] being more patient hitting the holes. But to me, I’ve always had that speed, really. That breakaway speed, able to take it to the house, but I understand that people weren’t really expecting me to run that fast. I’m kind of used to that speed, really.”

How often does the subject of the one year of full-time action come up when you’re talking to scouts?

Sanders: “A decent amount but not really a lot, not really a big factor. They understand my whole situation, really. They like the fact that I’m probably the freshest running back in this draft. I don’t have a lot of wear and tear on my body.”

Eagles offensive coordinator Mike Groh showed up at your pro day. It seems like the Eagles have been watching you like a hawk since your combine performance. What have your conversations been like with the Eagles? What have you noticed about their level of interest?

Sanders: “I had a formal interview with them at the combine, getting to know them and them getting to know me a little bit more, football-wise and off-the-field. Since then, [I’ve] really just been keeping in touch with them.”

You spoke with Eagles assistant head coach Duce Staley during the process. How can a coach that played at such a high level help you learn at your position?

Sanders: “It could help a lot, especially with him knowing the game and how it’s played and how it is in the league. He’ll understand basically everything that I’m going through, no matter what it is.”

What have the team interviews been like for you?

Sanders: “Just been talking ball with them, really. Everybody really got to know me at the combine, so those questions don’t really come up. It’s straight to ball with these interviews, so [the teams] are just seeing what I know as far pass protection and blocking schemes and stuff like that. All of it has been about ball.”

As a competitive guy, do you pay attention to what’s going on with the other running back prospects like Josh Jacobs?

Sanders: “No, I don’t really pay attention to anybody. I just like to focus on myself. It’s me in this situation. I just like to stay focused on myself, really. I don’t really pay attention to the stuff on Twitter and stuff like that, unless my mom sends me something.”

You lined up in the slot at the pro day, what was that like for you, as somebody who really wants to prove that they can be a receiver out of the backfield?

Sanders: “It was good, I felt comfortable. I have been doing that since high school. I did it a little bit [at Penn State], so I feel really good about it. Hopefully, whoever pulls the trigger on me, will allow me to be there during the season and produce there, [as a receiver] out of the backfield and in the slot.”

Is there an NFL player who you model your game after?

Sanders: “Honestly, after sitting behind Saquon for two years, I think [mine] and his game could be alike. Another guy that I like to watch is [Saints running back] Alvin Kamara. Also, [Cowboys running back] Ezekiel Elliott.”

What stands out to you about Elliott’s game that you would like to put into your game?

Sanders: “I think he is really, really good in between the tackles. I like that about him. He’s physical, he’s tough, breaks a lot of tackles and he takes it to the house, too.”

Is there a team or a player who grew up rooting for?

Sanders: “I’m a Pittsburgh guy, so I love my Steelers.”

So, with Le’Veon Bell now with the Jets, there’s potential that the Steelers could be looking for a running back high in the draft, even with James Conner. What would it be like to suit up for them?

Sanders: “It would be a blessing, just like with any team that drafts me. It’ll just be a blessing, really. I’ll just be ready to play for any team that pulls the trigger on me and I’ll be ready to produce.”